Inorganic fiber composition

ABSTRACT

Inorganic fibers which have a silicon extraction of greater than about 0.02 wt % Si/day in physiological saline solutions. The fiber contains SiO 2 , MgO, CaO, and at least one of Al 2  O 3 , ZrO 2 , TiO 2 , B 2  O 3 , iron oxides, or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are inorganic fibers which have diameters of less than 3.5 microns and which pass the ASTM E-119 two hour fire test when processed into a fiber blanket having a bulk density in the range of about 1.5 to 3 pcf.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/052,825, filed Apr. 23, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,699, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/356,595, filed May 24, 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/201,513, filed Jun. 1, 1988, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/016,041 filed Feb. 18, 1987, now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 06/894.175, filed Aug. 4, 1986 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 06/831,217, filed Feb. 20, 1986, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to inorganic fiber compositions and more particularly it relates to inorganic fiber compositions which can contain silica, magnesia, calcium oxide, alumina, and other oxides. Some of the inventive fibers have excellent fire ratings, some have especially low durabilities in physiological saline solutions, and some have combinations of these foregoing properties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many years inorganic fibers, generically referred to in the industry as "mineral wool fibers", made from slag, rock, fly ash, and other by-product raw materials have been manufactured. These fibers have been typically manufactured by melting the slag, rock, etc. containing such oxides as silica, alumina, iron oxide (ferrous and ferric), calcium oxide, and magnesia; allowing the molten material to be blown by gas or steam or to impinge on rotors at high speeds; and causing the resulting blown or spun fibers to be accumulated on a collecting surface. These fibers are then used in bulk or in the form of mats, blankets, and the like as both low and high temperature insulation. U.S. Pat. No. 2,576,312 discloses a conventional mineral wool composition and method for making the same.

In the past, the industry has well recognized the standard drawbacks associated with conventional mineral wool fibers. Conventional mineral wool fibers may have high contents of undesired oxides which often detract from their refractory properties. The conventional mineral wools are coarse, i.e. they have average fiber diameters of 4 to 5 microns (measured microscopically) and have high shot contents in the range of 30 to 50 weight percent. The coarseness of the fiber reduces the insulating value of the fiber and makes conventional mineral wool unpleasant to handle and unfriendly to the touch. For example, because of their coarse fiber diameters, conventional mineral wool blankets must have bulk densities of from 4 to 8 pcf and even higher in order to pass the ASTM E-119 two hour fire test. On the other hand, fiber glass blankets are often made with bulk densities of 2 pcf or lower. While the fiber glass blankets are friendly because of their low bulk densities and relatively fine fiber diameter, they do not have sufficient fire resistance so as to pass even the one hour ASTM E-119 fire test.

Recently, another potential problem with traditional mineral wool and other types of fiber has been recognized. It is well known that inhalation of certain types of fiber can lead to elevated incidence of respiratory disease, including cancers of the lung and surrounding body tissue. Several occurrences are well-documented in humans for several types of asbestos fiber. Although for other varieties of natural and manmade mineral fiber direct and unequivocal evidence for respiratory disease is lacking, the potential for such occurrence has been inferred from results of tests on laboratory animals. In the absence or insufficiency of direct human epidemiological data, results from fiber inhalation or implantation studies on animals provides the best "baseline information" from which to extrapolate disease potential.

Chronic toxicological studies on animals have, however, been able to statistically demonstrate the importance of three key factors that relate directly to the potential for respiratory disease and especially carcinoma: (a) dose of fiber received (including time of exposure); (b) dimension of the inhaled fiber; and (c) persistence of the fiber within the lung. The effects of dose and dimension have been well-characterized from such studies and as a result are fairly well known in regard to human disease potential. The dose is obviously a product of the environment in which the fiber is used and the manner in which it is used. The dimension and persistence of the fiber within the lung, on the other hand, are functions of the manner in which the fiber is formed and of its chemical composition. In general, the smaller the fiber the more likely that it will become embedded in lung tissue when inhaled, thus increasing the danger of respiratory disease.

Although less is known about the link between persistence of the fiber within the lung and respiratory disease, increasing attention is being focused on this aspect of the health issue. Biological persistence refers to the length of time a fiber endures as an entity within the body. The physiochemical concept that most closely relates to persistence and is perhaps more easily quantified is that of "durability"--specifically, the chemical solubility resistance to solubility) of fibers in body fluids and the tendency of such fibers to maintain physical integrity within such an environment. In general, the less durable a fiber is, the less will be the potential health risk associated with the inhalation of that fiber. One method of measuring the chemical durability of a fiber in body fluids is to measure its durability in physiological saline solutions. This can be done by quantifying the rate of extraction of a chemical component of the fiber such as silicon into the physiological saline solution over a certain period of time.

Thus, as can be easily concluded from the foregoing discussion, conventional mineral wool fibers have several serious drawbacks. However, even the alternatives to mineral wools have problems. For example, as mentioned earlier glass fibers have a fire resistance problem and whereas the refractory ceramic fibers have been gaining increasing use in recent years as an alternative to mineral wool fibers because of their ultra-high temperature resistance and superior ability to pass all fire rating tests, their use is limited by the fact that they are relatively expensive and have a relatively high chemical durability in physiological saline solutions as well.

In conclusion, there is a great need in the industry for low cost, friendly feeling low bulk density inorganic fibers which have good fire resistance properties as measured by their ability to pass the ASTM E-119 two hour fire test. Additionally, there is a tremendous demand for fibers which have especially low durabilities in physiological saline solutions. What would be particularly advantageous to the industry would be fibers with combinations of the above mentioned sought after properties. Also advantageous would be fibers which also have excellent refractory properties as well, e.g. high continuous service temperatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention there are provided inorganic fibers having a silicon extraction of greater than about 0.02 wt % Si/day in physiological saline solutions and a composition consisting essentially of about 0-10 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 35-70 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-50 wt % MgO; and CaO.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there are provided inorganic fibers which have a 5 hour silicon extraction physiological saline solutions of at least about 10 ppm. These fibers can broadly have compositions consisting essentially of the following ingredients at the indicated weight percentage levels:

0-1.5 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 40-70 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-50 wt % MgO; and CaO

1.5-3 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 40-66 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-50 wt % MgO; and CaO

3-4 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 40-63 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-50 wt % MgO; and CaO

4-6 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 40-59 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-25 wt % MgO; and CaO

6-8 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 35-54 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-25 wt % MgO; and CaO

8-10 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 35-45 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-20 wt % MgO; and CaO

In a preferred embodiment, inventive fibers with 5 hour silicon extractions of greater than about 20 ppm and most preferably greater than about 50 ppm are provided.

In another embodiment of the present invention there are provided inorganic fibers having a diameter of less than 3.5 microns and which pass the ASTM E-119 two hour fire test when processed into a fiber blanket having a bulk density in the range of about 1.5 to 3 pcf and having a composition consisting essentially of about: 0-10 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 58-70 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-21 wt % MgO; 0-2 wt % alkali metal oxides; and CaO and wherein the amount of alumina+zirconia is less than 6 wt % and the amount of iron oxides or alumina+iron oxides is less than 2 wt %. Preferably, the inventive fibers in this embodiment may have compositions consisting essentially of about:

0-1.5 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 58.5-70 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-21 wt % MgO; 0-2 wt % alkali metal oxides; and CaO

greater than 1.5 wt % up to and including 3 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 58.5-66 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-21 wt % MgO; 0-2 wt % alkali metal oxides; and CaO

greater than 3 wt % up to and including 4 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides or mixtures thereof; 58-63 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-8 wt % MgO; 0-2 wt % alkali metal oxides; and CaO

greater than 4 wt % up to and including 6 wt % of either Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof; 58-59 wt % SiO₂ ; 0-7 wt % MgO; 0-2 wt % alkali metal oxides; and CaO.

As discussed herein earlier, there has been a demand in the industry for inorganic fibers with an excellent fire rating at low bulk densities and fibers with especially low chemical durabilities in physiological saline solutions. Therefore, each category of inventive fibers should fulfill a real need in the industry and should be available for applications where heretofore low cost, mineral wool type fibers have not been available. What is particularly advantageous about the present invention is the fact that fibers are provided where a special demand exists, i.e. applications in the industry where fibers with both an excellent fire rating and an especially low durability in physiological saline solutions are in demand.

Other features and aspects, as well as the various benefits and advantages, of the present invention will be made clear in the more detailed description which follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventive fiber compositions of the present invention can be made from either pure metal oxides or less pure raw materials which contain the desired metal oxides. Table I herein gives an analysis of some of the various raw materials which can be used to make inventive fiber compositions. Physical variables of the raw materials such as particle size may be chosen on the basis of cost, handleability, and similar considerations.

Except for melting, the inventive fibers are formed in conventional inorganic fiber forming equipment and by using standard inorganic fiber forming techniques as known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, production will entail electric furnace melting rather than cupola melting since electric melting keeps molten oxides of either pure or less pure raw materials more fully oxidized thereby producing longer fibers and stronger products. The various pure oxides or less pure raw materials are granulated to a size commonly used for electric melting or they may be purchased already so granulated.

The granulated raw materials are then mixed together and fed to an electric furnace where they are melted by electric resistance melting with electrodes preferably positioned according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,054. Melt formation can be either continuous or batchwise although the former is preferred. The molten mixture of oxides is then fiberized as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,213.

While the fiberization techniques taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,213 are preferred for making the inventive fibers, other conventional methods may be employed such as sol-gel processes and extrusion through holes in precious metal alloy baskets.

The fibers so formed will have lengths in the range of from about 0.5 to 20 cm and diameters in the range of from about 0.05 to 10 microns with the average fiber diameter being in the range of about 1.5 to 3.5 microns. Table 2 shows the average fiber diameter (measured microscopically) and the unfiberized shot content of various inventive fibers. As may be seen, the average microscopic fiber diameter was 2.3 microns and the average unfiberized shot content was 27%.

For purposes of comparison, conventional mineral wool fibers were also tested with the results being given in Table 2 as numbers 226 to 229. These conventional fibers averaged 4.7 microns (measured microscopically) in diameter and had an average 40 wt % shot content. The continuous service temperature ranged from 1370° F. to 1490° F., averaging 1420° F.

Table 3 contains an extensive chemical analysis of a number of inventive fibers. Because of the large number of fiber samples containing alumina additives made to the base calcium oxide/magnesia/silica system, only the average analysis of the minor constituent of these fibers are given in Table 3. The silica, alumina, magnesia, and calcium oxide contents for these fibers are given in Table 4.

As used herein, the "service temperature" of an inorganic fiber is determined by two parameters. The first is the obvious condition that the fiber must not soften or sinter at the temperature specified. It is this criterion which precludes the use of glass fibers at temperatures above about 800° F. to 1000° F. (425° to 540° C.). Additionally, a felt or blanket made from the fibers must not have excessive shrinkage when soaking at its service temperature. "Excess shrinkage" is usually defined to be a maximum of 5% linear or bulk shrinkage after prolonged exposure (usually for 24 hours) at the service temperature. Shrinkage of mats or blankets used as furnace liners and the like is of course a critical feature, for when the mats or blankets shrink they open fissures between them through which the heat can flow, thus defeating the purpose of the insulation. Thus, a fiber rated as a "1500° F. (815° C.) fiber" would be defined as one which does not soften or sinter and which has acceptable shrinkage at that temperature, but which begins to suffer in one or more of the standard parameters at temperatures above 1500° F. (815° C.).

The service temperatures for a representative number of fibers in the inventive compositional range are listed in Table 2. The continuous service temperature for constant silica/magnesia/calcium oxide ratios are given in Table 6. As may be seen in all cases, the lower the alumina content of the fiber, the higher the service temperature will be, with the highest service temperature being at zero percent alumina for alumina contents less than 30%. Thus to attain the most desired properties of the inventive fiber it is not possible to accept any of the alumina contents resulting from melting the traditional mineral wool raw materials. Rather, various amounts of sufficiently pure oxides will be required to dilute the alumina contents to the desired low levels. To attain fibers of the highest service temperatures, only pure raw materials with essentially no significant amounts of alumina must be used.

A series of inventive fibers were also tested for their silicon extraction in a saline solution according to the following procedure:

A buffered model physiological saline solution was prepared by adding to 6 liters of distilled water the following ingredients at the indicated concentrations:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient         Concentration, g/l                                          ______________________________________                                         MgCl.sub.2 6H.sub.2 O                                                                             0.160                                                       NaCl               6.171                                                       KCl                0.311                                                       Na.sub.2 HPO.sub.4 0.149                                                       Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4  0.079                                                       CaCl.sub.2 2H.sub.2 O                                                                             0.060                                                       NaHCO.sub.3        1.942                                                       NaC.sub.2 H.sub.3 O.sub.2                                                                         1.066                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Before testing, this solution was buffered to a pH of 7.6 by bubbling with a gaseous mixture of 5% CO₂ /95%N₂.

One half (1/2) gram of each sample of fiber listed in Table III was then placed into separate closed, plastic bottles along with 50 cc of the prepared physiological saline solution and put into an ultrasonic bath for 5 hours. The ultrasonic vibration application was adjusted to give a temperature of 104° F. at the end of the 5 hour period. At the end of the test period, the saline solution was filtered and the solution chemically analyzed for silicon content. The silicon concentration in the saline solution was taken to be a measure of the amount of fiber which solubilized during the 5 hour test period. The CaO and MgO contents of the fiber were similarly solubilized.

One of the inventive fibers was tested for silicon extraction in a physiological saline solution for periods of up to 6 months. Results were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                         Steady State                                                                   Silicon Extraction                                                    Silicon  Rate For    Total   Comments on                                       Extraction                                                                              0.20 m.sup.2 /g                                                                            Amphoteric                                                                             Fiber Residue                              Fiber  in       Surface Area,                                                                              Oxides in                                                                              After 6                                    Number 6 months % Si/day    Fiber   Months                                     ______________________________________                                          29    96%      0.16%       1.0%    carbonate                                  (inventive)                         hydroxyl                                                                       apatite fiber,                                                                 disintegrated                                                                  into small                                                                     particles                                  137 (non-                                                                              3%      0.013%      8.9%    slight fine                                inventive)                          grained fibers                                                                 with uniform                                                                   corrosion                                  235 (non-                                                                              4%      0.012%      25.6%   no fiber                                   inventive)                          corrosion                                                                      some surface                                                                   deposition                                 ______________________________________                                    

Categorization of oxides melts according to scales of acidity or basicity has been well known for many years. (See "A Scale of Acidity and Bascity in Glass", Glass Industry, February 1948, pp 73-74) We have now found that by strictly controlling the compositions of the oxide melts according to the acidic or basicity behavior of the respective oxides, fibers can be made which are surprisingly soluble in saline solutions. Increasing the content of silica, alumina, and the amphoteric oxides in the fiber increases the acid ratio of the fiber composition. This tends to stabilize the system against silicon extraction by weak solutions as a result of relative changes in the interatomic bonding forces and extension of the silica network. Other amphoteric oxides besides alumina will have an alumina equivalency with respect to extraction by saline solutions. The amphoteric oxides zirconia and titania appear to have an alumina equivalency of close to 1 to 1. We have found that in general for desired high saline solubility the amount of total amphoteric oxides must be kept below about 10% depending upon the amount of silica present. On the other hand, with the exception of iron and manganese oxides, the basic oxides can vary widely since their alumina equivalency is small. However, while iron and manganese oxides are generally considered to be basic in nature, their behavior with respect to saline solubility more closely relate to the amphoteric oxides, thus the amounts of iron and manganese oxides must be similarly limited.

Many of the fibers were tested for their fire resistance according to the following simulated fire rating test procedure:

For screening test purposes, a small furnace was constructed using an electrically heated flat-plate element at the back of the heat source. A 6 inch×6 inch×2 inch thick sample of 13/4 to 61/2 pcf density of each formulated fiber was mounted parallel with the element and 1 inch from it. Thermocouples were then positioned at the center of the fiber sample surfaces. A computer was used to control power via a simple on-off relay system to the heating element. The position of the relay was based on the reading of the thermocouple on the sample surface nearest the element and the programmed fire test heat-up schedule.

The furnace was heated so as to follow a standard ASTM E-119 time/temperature curve for the 2-hour test period. In the test utilized herein, failure of the fiber is considered to occur when the furnace is unable to maintain the standard temperature per ASTM E-119 because the fiber insulation has sintered sufficiently to allow heat to escape through the fiber layer.

The results of the testing of the fibers for saline solubility and the two hour ASTM E-119 fire test are given in Table 4 for the fibers made with alumina addition and in Table 5 for the remaining fibers to which other oxidic constituents were added. These additions included: B₂ O₃, P₂ O₅, TiO₂, ZrO₂, Fe₂ O₃ +MnO, La₂ O₃, Cr₂ O₃, and Na₂ O. For glass fibers within the scope of the invention to function in an ASTM E-119 fire test, i.e. to withstand the rising temperatures of a simulated fire which can reach 1850° F. in two hours, it is necessary that they convert from an amorphous condition to a beneficial psuedo crystalline state during heat-up. The inventive fibers do this but can be assisted in this function by the inclusion of suitable crystal nucleating agents. Such agents may include TiO₂, ZrO₂, platinum, Cr₂ O₃, P₂ O₅, and others. Such additions are within the scope of this invention.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     RAW MATERIALS USED                                                                                                 Less Pure Raw Materials                                Pure Raw Materials          Blast                                              Silica                                                                             Quick                                                                              Calcined                                                                            Aluminum                                                                            Magnesium Furnace                                                                             Nepheline                                     Sand                                                                               Lime                                                                               Dolomite                                                                            Oxide                                                                               Oxide Kaolin                                                                             Slag Syenite                                                                             Talc                         __________________________________________________________________________     ACIDIC OXIDES                                                                  SiO.sub.2   99.0                                                                               0.34                                                                               0.50 0.02 0.4   50.5                                                                               35.16                                                                               61.3 61.2                         AMPHOTERIC OXIDES                                                              TiO.sub.2   nil nil nil   0.002                                                                              nil   1.61                                                                               0.62  0.003                                                                              nil                          Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                           0.30                                                                               0.26                                                                               0.50 98.8 0.1   43.6                                                                               12.88                                                                               23.4 0.7                          BASIC OXIDES                                                                   Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                           0.30                                                                               0.05                                                                               0.15 0.02 0.7   0.80                                                                               0.20 0.07 0.8                          MnO         --  --  --   --   --    --  0.62 --   --                           MgO         0.02                                                                               0.14                                                                               40.0 nil  96.3  0.01                                                                               16.06                                                                               0.05 31.7                         CaO         0.03                                                                               97.75                                                                              57.0 0.01 2.0   0.04                                                                               32.94                                                                               0.58 0.1                          Na.sub.2 O  0.04                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.01 0.30 0.02  0.06                                                                               0.45 9.60 --                           K.sub.2 O   0.01                                                                               0.01                                                                               nil  0.01 0.01  0.02                                                                               0.25 4.50 --                           MISCELLANEOUS                                                                  SO.sub.3    --  --  0.4  --   --    --  0.28 --   --                           S.sup.=     --  --  --   --   --    --  1.03 --   --                           C           --  --  --   --   --    --  0.30 --   --                           LOI         0.2 0.7 3.0  0.20 1.8   2.90                                                                               --   0.62 5.0                          TOTAL       99.90                                                                              99.27                                                                              101.56                                                                              99.36                                                                               101.33                                                                               99.54                                                                              100.79                                                                              100.12                                                                              99.5                         __________________________________________________________________________      Silica Sand: Ottawa Silica  Silco-Sil Grade 295                                Quick Lime: Mississippi Lime  Pulverized Quick Lime                            Calcined Dolomite: Ohio Lime NO. 16 Burnt Dolomitic Lime                       Aluminum Oxide: Reynolds Calcined Alumina, RC23                                Magnesium Oxide: Baymag 56 Feed Grade                                          Kaolin: American Cyanamide Andersonville Kaolin                                Blast Furnace Slag: Calumite Morrisville Slag                                  Nepheline Syenite: Indusmin Grad A400                                          Talc: Pfizer Grade MP4426                                                      Additives:                                                                     Soda Ash: 58.3% Na.sub.2 O                                                     Boric Acid: 55.5% B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                              Magnetite Iron Concentrates: 98.5% Iron Oxides                                 Zircon: 66.2% ZrO.sub.2                                                        Manganese Oxide: 99% MnO.sub.2                                                 Titanium Dioxide: 99% TiO.sub.2                                                Chromium Oxide: 99.5% Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3                                         Lanthanum Carbonate: Moly Corp.                                          

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         FIBER DIAMETER, SHOT CONTENT, AND                                              SERVICE TEMPERATURE OF TEST FIBERS                                                               Average                                                                        Fiber    Shot    Service                                                       Diameter Content Temperature                                 Test No.          Microns  %       °F.                                  ______________________________________                                         0-11/2% Amphoteric Oxides                                                       4                --       --      1410                                         10               --       28      --                                           12               --       --      1380                                         16               --       26      1400                                         17               1.9      --      1420                                         19               --       --      1430                                         20               2.3      22      1440                                         22               2.9      --      1350                                         23               --       34      1390                                         24               2.8      33      1400                                         25               2.9      --      1440                                         29               1.6      --      1450                                         30               1.5      --      1450                                         32               1.5      23      1450                                         34               --       --      1400                                         35               1.7      --      1450                                         37               2.4      22      1450                                         39               1.9      --      1450                                         40               --       33      1460                                         43               1.9      32      1460                                         50               2.3      --      1500                                         58               --       --      1490                                         65               2.0      25      1420                                         81               --       --      1500                                         82               --       --      1370                                         83               --       --      1390                                        11/2 To 3% Amphoteric Oxides                                                    87               1.9      24      1410                                         90               2.0      --      1430                                         95               2.1      --      1440                                         97               --       24      --                                          107               --       --      1420                                        3 To 4% Amphoteric Oxides                                                      110               --       --      1320                                        111               --       23      1440                                        114               --       --      1380                                        117               --       --      1450                                        120               --       --      1440                                        4 To 6% Amphoteric Oxides                                                      122               3.3      --      1410                                        6 To 8% Amphoteric Oxides                                                      126               1.8      26      1470                                        127               2.2      --      1370                                        128               3.3      --      1380                                        129               3.4      --      1430                                        131               --       25      --                                          133               --       --      1420                                        8 To 10% Amphoteric Oxides                                                     134               --       --      1380                                        135               2.9      --      1410                                        137               3.1      --      1370                                        138               1.8      --      1450                                        139               1.8      --      1370                                        140               --       --      1400                                        10 To 12% Amphoteric Oxides                                                    141               1.9      --      1460                                        141               2.0      --      1460                                        143               2.6      --      1360                                        144               3.0      --      1360                                        12 To 20% Amphoteric Oxides                                                    146               2.0      --      1460                                        20-30% Amphoteric Oxides                                                       150               2.5      --      1460                                        152               3.4      --      1520                                        153               3.8      32      --                                          Oxide Additions other than Alumina                                             167               2.5      --      --                                          173               --       --      1800                                        174               3.1      25      1600                                        176               2.1      --      --                                          178                1.41    --      --                                          179               0.9      --      --                                          182               --       30      --                                          183               1.7      26      --                                          186               --       25      1500                                        189               --       26      --                                          192               1.8      --      --                                          200               2.0      36      --                                          211               --       --      1400                                        216                                1480                                        No. of Measurements:                                                                             42       22       56                                         Average Value:    2.3      27      --                                          Conventional Mineral Wood Fibers                                               226               4.3      33      1370                                        227               4.7      48      1350                                        228               5.4      45      1450                                        229               4.4      35      1490                                        Average           4.7      40      1420                                        Refractory Fiber                                                               233               3.0      38      1600                                        234               2.9      37      2400                                        235               3.3      44      1600                                        236               2.4      37      2300                                        237               2.8      29      2300                                        238               3.0      28      2400                                        239               3.0      27      2400                                        240               3.0      20      2450                                        241               3.0      20      2450                                        Average:          2.9      31      --                                          ______________________________________                                    

    TABLE 3                                                                           - COMPOSITION OF FIBERS                                                         ACIDIC OXIDES AMPHOTERIC OXIDES BASIC OXIDES MISCELLANEOUS                      US #    SUB    SUB           SUB   SUB                                          NO. B.sub.2 O.sub.3 SiO.sub.2 P.sub.2 O.sub.5 TOTAL TiO.sub.2 Al.sub.2         O.sub.3 ZrO.sub.2 TOTAL FeO.sub.3 MnO La.sub.2 O.sub.3 Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3         MgO Li.sub.2 O CaO BaO Na.sub.2 O K.sub.2 O TOTAL SO.sub.3 Misc. TOTAL          TOTAL                                                                            Composition of Fibers wit Al.sub.2                                              O.sub.3 additions (minor constituents only)                                     1 to 0.00 -- 0.00 -- 0.01 -- 0.01 0.02 0.06 0.02 0.00 0.02 -- 0.00 --          0.04 0.04 0.01 .19 .05/ .02 .07/ .14                                              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  .20 -- .22 .44           Composition of Fibers with B.sub.2                                             O.sub.3 additions                    164 0.32 64.8 -- 65.12 -- 0.06 --         0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.7 -- 26.6 -- -- -- 35.3 -- -- -- 100.48                       165 0.52 63.9 -- 64.42 -- 1.20 -- 1.20 -- -- -- -- 8.6 -- 26.2 -- -- --        34.8 -- -- -- 100.42                                                             156 0.64 64.6 -- 65.24 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.7 -- 26.5 -- -- --        35.2 -- -- -- 100.5                                                              167 0.82 64.5 -- 65.32 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.7 -- 26.5 -- -- --        35.2 -- -- -- 100.58                                                             168 1.33 64.1 -- 65.43 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.6 -- 26.3 -- -- --        34.9 -- -- -- 100.39                                                             169 1.37 64.1 -- 65.47 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.6 -- 26.3 -- -- --        34.9 -- -- -- 100.43                                                             170 2.22 63.6 -- 65.82 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.5 -- 26.1 -- -- --        34.6 -- -- -- 100.48                                                             171 8.41 59.6 -- 68.01 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.0 -- 24.0 -- -- --        32.0 -- -- -- 100.07                                                             Composition of Fibers with P.sub.2                                              O.sub.5 additions                     172 -- 49.6 6.05 55.65 0.06 0.38         0.04 0.48 0.21 0.00 -- 0.68 11.15 0.00 31.45 0.00 0.05 0.04 43.58 --            0.02 0.02 99.73                                                                  Composition of Fibers with TiO.sub.2 additions                                  173 -- 48.6 -- 48.6 10.0 41.4 -- 51.4 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --         -- -- -- 100.0                                                                   Composition of Fibers with ZrO.sub.2 additions                                  174 -- 63.5 -- 63.5 .01 0.08 0.21 1.10 -- -- -- -- 0.33 -- 35.55 -- .03 .      01 35.92 -- -- -- 100.52                                                         175 -- 59.2 -- 59.2 -- 0.33 0.40 0.73 -- -- -- -- 0.41 -- 39.1 -- -- --        39.51 -- -- -- 99.44                                                             176 -- 59.5 -- 59.5 -- 0.31 0.42 0.73 -- -- -- -- 0.42 -- 39.1 -- -- --        39.52 -- -- -- 99.75                                                             177 -- 59.7 -- 59.7 -- 0.34 0.50 0.84 -- -- -- -- 0.46 -- 38.7 -- -- --        39.16 -- -- -- 99.70                                                             178 -- 60.0 -- 60.0 -- 0.36 0.54 0.90 -- -- -- -- 0.48 -- 38.3 -- -- --        38.78 -- -- -- 99.68                                                             179 -- 59.2 -- 59.2 -- 0.35 0.58 0.93 -- -- -- -- 0.98 -- 37.0 -- -- --        37.98 -- -- -- 98.11                                                             180 -- 54.3 -- 54.3 .01 1.29 0.58 1.88 .09 .01 -- -- 10.20 -- 32.75 .01 .      04 .02 43.12 -- .01 .01 99.31                                                    181 -- 59.2 -- 59.2 -- 0.32 0.83 1.15 -- -- -- -- 1.13 -- 36.6 -- -- --        37.73 -- -- -- 98.08                                                             182 -- 46.85 -- 46.85 .02 2.03 0.84 2.89 .08 .01 -- -- 20.6 -- 29.2 .03 .      05 .01 49.98 -- .02 .02 99.74                                                    182(a) -- 59.4 -- 59.4 -- 0.38 2.31 2.69 -- -- -- -- 2.06 -- 34.9 -- --        -- 36.96 -- -- -- 99.05                                                          183 -- 59.05 -- 59.05 -- 0.30 2.65 2.95 .06 .00 -- .05 3.08 -- 34.84           .00 .03 .01 38.07 -- .02 .02 100.09                                              184 -- 57.96 -- 57.96 -- 0.42 3.11 3.53 -- -- -- -- 3.55 -- 35.17 -- --        -- 38.72 -- -- -- 100.21                                                         185 -- 57.8 -- 57.80 -- 0.56 3.12 3.68 -- -- -- -- 3.74 -- 34.4 -- --          -- 38.14 -- -- -- 99.62                                                          186 -- 59.05 -- 59.05 -- 0.38 3.27 3.65 -- -- -- -- 2.57 -- 36.94 -- --        -- 39.51 -- -- -- 102.21                                                         187 -- 56.88 -- 56.88 -- 0.32 3.30 3.62 -- -- -- -- 4.00 -- 36.45 -- --        -- 40.45 -- -- -- 100.95                                                         188 -- 57.7 -- 57.7 -- 0.20 3.30 3.50 -- -- -- -- 3.00 -- 36.0 -- -- --        39.0 -- -- -- 100.20                                                             189 -- 58.19 -- 58.19 -- 0.39 3.36 3.75 -- -- -- -- 3.26 -- 35.39 -- --        -- 38.65 -- -- -- 100.59                                                         190 -- 57.86 -- 57.86 -- 0.36 3.37 3.73 -- -- -- -- 3.22 -- 35.66 -- --        -- 38.88 -- -- -- 100.47                                                         191 -- 58.6 -- 58.6 -- 0.58 3.67 4.25 -- -- -- -- 2.72 -- 33.5 -- -- --        36.22 -- -- -- 99.07                                                             192 -- 58.4 -- 58.4 -- 0.65 3.69 4.34 -- -- -- -- 2.59 -- 35.2 -- -- --        35.79 -- -- -- 98.53                                                             193 -- 56.65 -- 56.65 .02 3.35 4.50 7.87 .05 .00 -- .00 3.35 -- 31.9           .00 .05 .01 35.36 -- .01 .01 99.89                                               Composition of Fibers with FeO.sub.3 and MnO additions                          194 -- 64.9 -- 64.9 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 0.06 -- -- -- 8.72 -- 26.6 -- -- -- 3      5.38 -- -- -- 100.34                                                             195 -- 49.8 -- 49.8 .01 18.0 .01 18.02 .22 -- -- -- 0.2 -- 31.5 -- --          -- 31.92 .05 .02 .07 99.81                                                       196 -- 50.4 -- 50.4 .03 7.45 .01 7.49 .48 .04 -- -- 15.2 -- 26.2 -- .07 .      05 42.04 .05 .02 .07 100.00                                                      197 -- 64.34 -- 64.34 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 .50 -- -- -- 7.80 -- 26.4 -- --          -- 34.7 -- -- -- 99.1                                                            198 -- 63.70 -- 63.70 -- 1.20 -- 1.20 .69 -- -- -- 7.73 -- 25.30 -- --         -- 33.72 -- -- -- 98.62                                                          199 -- 63.54 -- 63.54 -- 1.20 -- 1.20 .72 -- -- -- 7.70 -- 25.04 -- --         -- 33.46 -- -- -- 98.20                                                          200 -- 38.9 -- 38.9 .01 6.70 .01 6.72 .80 -- -- -- 16.1 -- 37.5 -- --          -- 54.40 .05 .02 .07 100.09                                                      201 -- 64.3 -- 64.3 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 .96 -- -- -- 8.6 -- 26.4 -- -- --          35.96 -- -- -- 100.32                                                            202 -- 44.6 -- 44.6 .01 0.92 .01 0.94 1.02 -- -- -- 18.1 -- 32.8 -- --         -- 51.92 -- -- -- 97.46                                                          203 -- 63.3 -- 63.3 -- 1.15 -- 1.15 1.61 -- -- -- 7.98 -- 25.4 -- -- --        34.99 -- -- -- 99.44                                                             204 -- 63.6 -- 63.6 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 1.92 -- -- -- 8.6 -- 26.1 -- -- --         36.62 -- -- -- 100.28                                                            205 -- 43.8 -- 43.8 .01 15.26 .01 15.28 2.90 .04 -- .14 22.7 -- 15.05          -- .10 .01 40.94 .05 .08 .13 100.15                                              206 -- 62.3 -- 62.3 -- 1.20 -- 1.20 3.05 -- -- -- 8.0 -- 25.0 -- -- --         36.05 -- -- -- 99.55                                                             207 -- 63.3 -- 63.3 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 3.45 -- -- -- 8.0 -- 25.5 -- -- --         36.95 -- -- -- 100.31                                                            208 -- 43.9 -- 43.9 .01 14.3 .01 14.32 3.50 -- -- -- 24.4 -- 13.7 -- --        -- 41.6 -- -- -- 99.82                                                           209 -- 62.0 -- 62.0 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 4.81 -- -- -- 8.0 -- 25.5 -- -- --         38.31 -- -- -- 100.37                                                            210 -- 60.0 -- 60.0 -- 2.0 -- 2.0 -- 8.0 -- -- 30.0 -- -- -- -- -- 38.0        -- -- -- 100.0                                                                   211 -- 60.0 -- 60.0 -- -- -- -- -- 20.0 -- -- 20.0 -- -- -- -- -- 40.0         -- -- -- 100.0                                                                   Composition of Fibers with La.sub.2                                             O.sub.3 additions                    212 -- 58.1 -- 58.1 -- 0.06 --            0.06 0.16 -- 0.00 -- 4.60 -- 36.71 -- -- -- 41.47 -- -- -- 99.63                         213 -- 57.8 -- 57.8 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 0.15 -- 0.56 -- 4.58 --            36.53 -- -- -- 41.82 -- -- -- 99.68                                              214 -- 57.5 -- 57.5 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 0.15 -- 0.72 -- 4.55 -- 36.3 -- --         -- 41.72 -- -- -- 99.28                                                          215 -- 56.9 -- 56.9 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 0.15 -- 0.92 -- 4.51 -- 36.0 -- --         -- 41.58 -- -- -- 98.54                                                          Composition of Fibers with Cr.sub.2                                             O.sub.3 additions                    216 -- 62.6 -- 62.6 0.01 0.49 0.01 0      .51 0.08 .00 -- 0.09 2.30 -- 34.10 0.00 0.03 0.01 36.61 -- -- -- 99.72             Composition of Fibers with Na.sub.2                                           O additions                        217 -- 64.7 -- 64.7 -- 0.06 -- 0.06         -- -- -- -- 8.7 -- 26.6 -- 0.28 -- 35.58 -- -- -- 100.34                         218 -- 64.5 -- 64.5 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.7 -- 26.5 -- 0.45 --         35.65 -- -- -- 100.21                                                            219 -- 64.4 -- 64.4 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.6 -- 26.5 -- 0.71 --         35.80 -- -- -- 100.26                                                            220 -- 63.5 -- 63.5 -- 1.20 -- 1.20 -- -- -- -- 8.5 -- 26.1 -- 0.87 --         35.70 -- -- -- 100.40                                                            221 -- 64.3 -- 64.3 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.5 -- 26.2 -- 0.93 --         35.63 -- -- -- 99.99                                                             222 -- 64.2 -- 64.2 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.6 -- 26.4 -- 1.11 --         36.11 -- -- -- 100.37                                                            223 -- 64.0 -- 64.0 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.6 -- 26.3 -- 1.40 --         36.3 -- -- -- 100.36                                                             224 -- 63.0 -- 63.0 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.5 -- 25.9 -- 2.60 --         37.0 -- -- -- 100.06                                                             225 -- 60.3 -- 60.3 -- 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- -- -- 8.1 -- 24.8 -- 6.84 --         39.74 -- -- -- 100.1                                                             Composition of Conventional Mineral Wools                                       226 -- 40.0 -- 40.0 0.37 9.1 0.03 9.50 0.47 0.64 -- 0.02 11.2 0.01 36.5 0      .04 0.54 0.55 49.97 0.1 0.59 0.69 100.16                                         227 -- 39.9 0.02 39.92 1.11 12.85 0.03 13.99 0.35 0.24 -- 0.00 6.05            0.01 38.55 0.12 0.23 0.27 45.82 0.67 0.07 0.74 100.47                            228 -- 37.65 0.84 38.49 2.35 9.85 0.04 12.24 9.7 0.22 -- 0.04 12.95            0.01 23.55 0.07 2.01 0.80 49.35 0.42 0.19 0.61 100.69                            229 -- 41.75 0.12 41.87 1.07 16.0 0.03 17.10 3.75 0.23 -- 0.02 6.45            0.63 27.75 0.03 2.04 0.63 41.53 0.56 0.08 0.64 101.14                            Composition of Refractory Fibers (Fibers with less than 25% Basic              Oxides)                                                                          231 -- 31.0 -- 31.0 -- 47.5 0.02 47.52 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1.2 -- 20.2 -- 2      1.4 -- -- -- 99.92                                                               232 -- 37.1 -- 37.1 -- 59.2 -- 59.2 -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.2 -- 3.1 -- 3.3        -- -- -- 99.6                                                                    233 -- 50.0 -- 50.0 -- 40.0 -- 40.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- 5.6 -- 4.4 --            10.0 -- -- -- 100                                                                234 -- 54.0 -- 54.0 -- 46.0 -- 46.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --        -- -- 100                                                                        235 -- 58.47 1.15 59.62 0.98 24.54 0.03 25.55 3.70 0.02 -- 0.00 1.44           0.02 5.78 0.54 1.55 1.18 14.23 0.47 0.24 0.71 100.11                             236 -- 52.1 -- 52.1 1.76 44.4 .23 46.39 .83 -- -- -- 0.07 -- 0.12 --           .05 .06 1.13 -- -- -- 99.62                                                      237 -- 52.0 -- 52.0 1.71 42.2 2.93 46.84 .77 -- -- -- 0.07 -- 0.12 --          .05 .06 1.07 -- -- -- 99.91                                                      238 -- 49.8 -- 49.6 1.60 38.3 9.32 49.22 .72 -- -- -- 0.07 -- 0.12 --          .05 .06 1.02 -- -- -- 100.04                                                     239 -- 48.6 -- 48.6 1.55 36.2 12.3 50.05 .70 -- -- -- 0.07 -- 0.12 --          .05 .06 1.00 -- -- -- 99.65                                                      240 -- 47.8 -- 47.8 1.50 34.4 15.1 51.00 .68 -- -- -- 0.07 -- 0.12 --          .05 .06 .98 -- -- -- 99.78                                                       241 -- 46.2 -- 46.2 1.40 31.0 20.7 53.10 .63 -- -- -- 0.07 -- 0.12 --          .05 .06 0.93 -- -- -- 100.23                                                     242 -- 28 -- 28 19 50 3 72 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --           100                                                                              243 -- 64.5 -- 64.5 -- 27.4 -- 27.4 -- -- -- -- -- 8.4 -- -- -- -- 8.4         -- -- -- 100.3                                                            

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     TEST RESULTS ON FIBERS MADE WITH ALUMINA ADDITIONS                             COMPOSITION, WT %                                                              Acidic Amphoteric           5 Hour Saline                                                                         E-119 Fire Test                             Oxides Oxides Basic Oxides                                                                            Total                                                                               Extraction                                                                            Thickness                                                                           2 Hour                                 NO.                                                                               SiO.sub.2                                                                          Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                   Total                                                                             CaO                                                                               MgO                                                                               Total                                                                             Analytical                                                                          ppm, Si                                                                               Density                                                                             Test**                                 __________________________________________________________________________     0 to 1 1/2% Amphoteric Oxides                                                   1 32  0.2 0.22                                                                              39 29 68.1                                                                              100.37                                                                              *      *    *                                       2 31.3                                                                               0.2 0.22                                                                              33.3                                                                              35.5                                                                              68.9                                                                              100.47                                                                              *      *    *                                       3 41.9                                                                               0.28                                                                               0.30                                                                              57.5                                                                              0.1                                                                               57.7                                                                              99.95                                                                               80     --   --                                      4 43.5                                                                               0.33                                                                               0.35                                                                              46.0                                                                              10.4                                                                              56.5                                                                              100.40                                                                              58     --   --                                      5 43.7                                                                               0.25                                                                               0.27                                                                              39.8                                                                              16.6                                                                              56.5                                                                              100.52                                                                              49     2.0/1.27                                                                            F                                       6 45.0                                                                               0.50                                                                               0.52                                                                              54.4                                                                              0.1                                                                               54.6                                                                              100.17                                                                              75     --   --                                      7 46.5                                                                               0.20                                                                               0.22                                                                              9.2                                                                               45.1                                                                              54.4                                                                              101.17                                                                              *      *    *                                       8 48.2                                                                               0.20                                                                               0.22                                                                              5.0                                                                               47.6                                                                              52.7                                                                              101.17                                                                              *      *    *                                       9 47.9                                                                               0.22                                                                               0.24                                                                              19.3                                                                              33.5                                                                              52.9                                                                              101.09                                                                              50     --   --                                      10                                                                               48.5                                                                               0.56                                                                               0.58                                                                              8.8                                                                               43.0                                                                              51.9                                                                              101.03                                                                              51     --   --                                      11                                                                               48.6                                                                               0.56                                                                               0.58                                                                              13.3                                                                              38.3                                                                              51.7                                                                              100.93                                                                              46     --   --                                      12                                                                               49.2                                                                               0.42                                                                               0.44                                                                              28.0                                                                              22.9                                                                              51.0                                                                              100.69                                                                              67     --   --                                      13                                                                               49.2                                                                               0.17                                                                               0.19                                                                              3.4                                                                               48.3                                                                              51.8                                                                              101.24                                                                              *      *    *                                       14                                                                               50.0                                                                               0.10                                                                               0.12                                                                              7.0                                                                               43.0                                                                              50.1                                                                              100.27                                                                              56     --   --                                      15                                                                               50.7                                                                               0.10                                                                               0.12                                                                              15.7                                                                              33.7                                                                              49.5                                                                              100.37                                                                              60     --   --                                      16                                                                               51.1                                                                               0.45                                                                               0.47                                                                              29.8                                                                              19.0                                                                              48.9                                                                              100.52                                                                              65     --   --                                      17                                                                               51.2                                                                               0.33                                                                               0.35                                                                              39.7                                                                              9.0                                                                               48.8                                                                              100.40                                                                              51     2.0/2.59                                                                            F                                       18                                                                               53.2                                                                               0.64                                                                               0.66                                                                              2.8                                                                               44.3                                                                              47.2                                                                              101.11                                                                              56     --   F                                       19                                                                               53.4                                                                               0.28                                                                               0.30                                                                              45.6                                                                              0.1                                                                               45.8                                                                              99.55                                                                               77     2.0/1.97                                                                            F                                      __________________________________________________________________________     EXPERIMENTAL DATA                                                              COMPOSITION, WT %                                                              Acidic Amphoteric           5 Hour Saline                                                                         E-119 Fire Test                             Oxides Oxides Basic Oxides                                                                            Total                                                                               Extraction                                                                            Thickness                                                                           2 Hour                                 NO.                                                                               SiO.sub.2                                                                          Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                   Total                                                                             CaO                                                                               MgO                                                                               Total                                                                             Analytical                                                                          ppm, Si                                                                               Density                                                                             Test**                                 __________________________________________________________________________     0 to 1 1/2% Amphoteric Oxides                                                   20                                                                               53.8                                                                               0.33                                                                               0.35                                                                              35.1                                                                              10.8                                                                              46.0                                                                              100.20                                                                              83     2.0/1/97                                                                            F                                       21                                                                               53.9                                                                               0.40                                                                               0.42                                                                              25.5                                                                              20.5                                                                              46.1                                                                              100.47                                                                              68     --   --                                      22                                                                               54.5                                                                               1.00                                                                               1.02                                                                              7.5                                                                               36.5                                                                              44.1                                                                              99.67                                                                               30     --   --                                      23                                                                               55.9                                                                               0.08                                                                               0.10                                                                              43.0                                                                              0.45                                                                              43.55                                                                             99.60                                                                               51     2.0/1.94                                                                            F                                       24                                                                               56.0                                                                               0.40                                                                               0.42                                                                              27.0                                                                              17.0                                                                              44.1                                                                              100.57                                                                              69     2.0/2.12                                                                            F                                       25                                                                               56.35                                                                              0.20                                                                               0.24                                                                              34.4                                                                              8.25                                                                              42.75                                                                             99.39                                                                               70     2.0/1.87                                                                            F                                       26                                                                               56.4                                                                               0.91                                                                               0.93                                                                              35.1                                                                              7.39                                                                              42.59                                                                             99.97                                                                               47     --   --                                      27                                                                               57.0                                                                               1.03                                                                               1.05                                                                              24.5                                                                              17.6                                                                              42.2                                                                              100.30                                                                              46     --   --                                      28                                                                               57.0                                                                               1.09                                                                               1.11                                                                              35.0                                                                              6.84                                                                              41.94                                                                             100.10                                                                              40     --   --                                      29                                                                               57.25                                                                              0.92                                                                               0.94                                                                              36.95                                                                             3.95                                                                              41.1                                                                              99.56                                                                               56     1.88/2.20                                                                           F                                       30                                                                               57.8                                                                               0.75                                                                               0.78                                                                              34.75                                                                             6.2                                                                               41.05                                                                             99.85                                                                               --     2.0/1.97                                                                            F                                       31                                                                               58.1                                                                               0.03                                                                               0.05                                                                              36.7                                                                              4.53                                                                              41.33                                                                             99.53                                                                               59     2.0/1.91                                                                            F                                       32                                                                               58.2                                                                               1.08                                                                               1.10                                                                              35.7                                                                              4.79                                                                              40.59                                                                             99.94                                                                               80     2.0/1.91                                                                            F                                       33                                                                               58.3                                                                               0.03                                                                               0.05                                                                              40.8                                                                              0.31                                                                              41.21                                                                             99.61                                                                               49     2.0/1.91                                                                            F                                       34                                                                               58.4                                                                               0.37                                                                               0.39                                                                              15.3                                                                              26.3                                                                              41.7                                                                              100.54                                                                              61     2.0/1.91                                                                            F                                       35                                                                               58.6                                                                               0.09                                                                               0.11                                                                              35.0                                                                              5.36                                                                              40.46                                                                             99.22                                                                               74     2.0/1.94                                                                            P                                       36                                                                               58.7                                                                               0.05                                                                               0.07                                                                              40.2                                                                              0.27                                                                              40.57                                                                             99.39                                                                               58     2.0/1.91                                                                            F                                       37                                                                               58.5                                                                               0.49                                                                               0.53                                                                              34.4                                                                              5.6                                                                               40.1                                                                              99.32                                                                               59     2.0/2.01                                                                            P                                       38                                                                               58.8                                                                               0.41                                                                               0.43                                                                              35.4                                                                              6.2                                                                               41.7                                                                              100.98                                                                              56     --   --                                      39                                                                               58.9                                                                               0.08                                                                               0.10                                                                              34.2                                                                              6.10                                                                              40.4                                                                              99.45                                                                               67     2.0/1.86                                                                            P                                       40                                                                               59.0                                                                               0.24                                                                               0.26                                                                              35.9                                                                              3.8                                                                               39.9                                                                              99.21                                                                               49     2.0/1.97                                                                            P                                       41                                                                               59.1                                                                               0.09                                                                               0.11                                                                              40.3                                                                              0.43                                                                              40.83                                                                             100.09                                                                              68     2.0/1.90                                                                            P                                       42                                                                               59.2                                                                               0.24                                                                               0.26                                                                              4.7                                                                               36.8                                                                              41.60                                                                             101.11                                                                              47     2.5/1.4                                                                             F                                       43                                                                               59.15                                                                              0.32                                                                               0.34                                                                              35.55                                                                             4.75                                                                              40.40                                                                             99.94                                                                               60     2.0/1.95                                                                            P                                       44                                                                               59.4                                                                               0.04                                                                               0.06                                                                              29.8                                                                              10.7                                                                              40.60                                                                             100.11                                                                              61     2.0/1.92                                                                            P                                       45                                                                               59.5                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.04                                                                              34.2                                                                              5.98                                                                              40.28                                                                             99.87                                                                               77     2.0/1.90                                                                            P                                       46                                                                               59.5                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.04                                                                              32.1                                                                              8.16                                                                              40.36                                                                             99.95                                                                               73     2.0/1.89                                                                            F                                       47                                                                               59.6                                                                               1.43                                                                               1.45                                                                              22.5                                                                              16.8                                                                              39.6                                                                              100.8                                                                               51     2.0/1.88                                                                            F                                       48                                                                               59.6                                                                               0.03                                                                               0.05                                                                              28.7                                                                              11.4                                                                              40.2                                                                              99.9 70     2.0/1.91                                                                            P                                       50                                                                               59.8                                                                               0.28                                                                               0.30                                                                              40.5                                                                              0.11                                                                              40.71                                                                             100.86                                                                              30     2.0/2.01                                                                            P                                       51                                                                               59.9                                                                               1.48                                                                               1.50                                                                              25.8                                                                              12.9                                                                              39.0                                                                              100.55                                                                              47     2.0/1.98                                                                            P                                       52                                                                               59.9                                                                               1.31                                                                               1.33                                                                              28.1                                                                              11.0                                                                              39.4                                                                              100.78                                                                              45     2.0/1.95                                                                            P                                       53                                                                               60.0                                                                               1.41                                                                               1.43                                                                              22.3                                                                              16.4                                                                              39.0                                                                              100.58                                                                              41     2.0/1.91                                                                            P                                       54                                                                               60.3                                                                               0.17                                                                               0.19                                                                              32.3                                                                              6.36                                                                              38.76                                                                             99.30                                                                               59     2.0/1.89                                                                            P                                       55                                                                               60.4                                                                               1.05                                                                               1.07                                                                              28.5                                                                              9.85                                                                              38.45                                                                             99.97                                                                               45     2.0/1.95                                                                            P                                       56                                                                               60.5                                                                               1.11                                                                               1.13                                                                              27.9                                                                              10.7                                                                              38.9                                                                              100.68                                                                              36     2.0/1.94                                                                            F                                       57                                                                               60.7                                                                               0.93                                                                               0.95                                                                              28.7                                                                              9.47                                                                              38.27                                                                             99.97                                                                               51     2.0/1.93                                                                            P                                       58                                                                               60.8                                                                               0.2 0.22                                                                              36.                                                                               3. 39.10                                                                             100.17                                                                              56     --   --                                      59                                                                               61.7                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.04                                                                              32.6                                                                              5.19                                                                              37.89                                                                             99.68                                                                               65     2.0/1.97                                                                            P                                       60                                                                               62.4                                                                               0.04                                                                               0.06                                                                              21.7                                                                              15.5                                                                              37.3                                                                              99.81                                                                               76     2.0/1.88                                                                            P                                       61                                                                               62.5                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.04                                                                              30.3                                                                              6.64                                                                              37.04                                                                             99.63                                                                               66     2.0/1.92                                                                            P                                       62                                                                               62.5                                                                               0.03                                                                               0.05                                                                              29.5                                                                              7.70                                                                              37.30                                                                             99.90                                                                               64     2.0/1.82                                                                            P                                       63                                                                               63.1                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.04                                                                              31.1                                                                              5.28                                                                              36.48                                                                             99.67                                                                               46     2.0/1.95                                                                            P                                       64                                                                               63.1                                                                               1.25                                                                               1.27                                                                              25.2                                                                              10.2                                                                              35.5                                                                              99.92                                                                               19     2.0/1.96                                                                            P                                       65                                                                               63.5                                                                               1.49                                                                               1.51                                                                              24.0                                                                              10.9                                                                              35.0                                                                              100.06                                                                              12     2.0/1.91                                                                            P                                       66                                                                               63.8                                                                               1.13                                                                               1.15                                                                              28.4                                                                              5.79                                                                              34.29                                                                             99.29                                                                               52     2.0/2.01                                                                            P                                       67                                                                               63.8                                                                               1.41                                                                               1.43                                                                              22.8                                                                              11.8                                                                              34.7                                                                              99.98                                                                               17     2.0/1.88                                                                            P                                       68                                                                               64.1                                                                               1.23                                                                               1.25                                                                              30.97                                                                             2.60                                                                              33.67                                                                             99.07                                                                                7     2.0/1.88                                                                            P                                       69                                                                               64.1                                                                               1.47                                                                               1.49                                                                              28.6                                                                              4.83                                                                              33.53                                                                             99.17                                                                               49     2.0/1.99                                                                            P                                       70                                                                               65.3                                                                               0.03                                                                               0.05                                                                              27.4                                                                              6.68                                                                              34.18                                                                             99.58                                                                               37     2.0/1.91                                                                            P                                       71                                                                               65.4                                                                               1.15                                                                               1.17                                                                              3.12                                                                              30.1                                                                              33.32                                                                             99.94                                                                               46     2.0/1.88                                                                            F                                       72                                                                               65.6                                                                               0.01                                                                               0.03                                                                              27.4                                                                              6.50                                                                              34.0                                                                              99.68                                                                               35     2.0/2.00                                                                            P                                       73                                                                               65.8                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.04                                                                              28.6                                                                              5.21                                                                              33.91                                                                             99.80                                                                               44     --   --                                      74                                                                               65.9                                                                               0.03                                                                               0.05                                                                              21.9                                                                              11.8                                                                              33.8                                                                              99.80                                                                               30     2.0/1.87                                                                            P                                       75                                                                               65.9                                                                               0.03                                                                               0.05                                                                              25.8                                                                              7.88                                                                              33.78                                                                             99.78                                                                               25     2.0/1.91                                                                            P                                       76                                                                               65.4                                                                               1.15                                                                               1.17                                                                              3.12                                                                              30.1                                                                              33.23                                                                             99.84                                                                               46     2.0/1.88                                                                            F                                       77                                                                               66.1                                                                               0.59                                                                               0.61                                                                              4.02                                                                              28.7                                                                              33.02                                                                             99.88                                                                               50     --   F                                       78                                                                               67.1                                                                               --  -- 6.43                                                                              26.5                                                                              33.03                                                                             100.18                                                                              78     2.0/1.89                                                                            F                                       79                                                                               67.2                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.04                                                                              8.67                                                                              24.0                                                                              32.77                                                                             100.06                                                                              84     2.0/2.03                                                                            F                                       80                                                                               68.4                                                                               --  -- 1.6                                                                               30.1                                                                              31.8                                                                              100.25                                                                              *      *    *                                       81                                                                               68.6                                                                               0.25                                                                               0.27                                                                              29.0                                                                              1.09                                                                              30.19                                                                             99.11                                                                               18     2.0/2.00                                                                            P                                       82                                                                               68.8                                                                               --  -- 10.2                                                                              21.3                                                                              31.6                                                                              10.45                                                                               31     --   --                                      83                                                                               68.9                                                                               0.03                                                                               0.05                                                                              18.1                                                                              12.7                                                                              30.9                                                                              99.9 30     2.0/2.00                                                                            P                                       84                                                                               69.0       7.2                                                                               23.8                                                                              31.0                                                                              100.05                                                                              18     --   --                                     1 1/2% to 3% Amphoteric Oxides                                                  85                                                                               50.0                                                                               2.00                                                                               2.02                                                                              5.0                                                                               43.0                                                                              48.1                                                                              100.17                                                                              --     *    *                                       86                                                                               52.6                                                                               2.00                                                                               2.02                                                                              3.8                                                                               41.7                                                                              45.6                                                                              100.27                                                                              51     2.0/1.88                                                                            F                                       87                                                                               56.1                                                                               2.41                                                                               2.43                                                                              30.3                                                                              10.6                                                                              41.0                                                                              99.58                                                                               39     2.0/1.89                                                                            F                                       88                                                                               56.2                                                                               1.82                                                                               1.84                                                                              24.4                                                                              17.3                                                                              41.8                                                                              99.89                                                                               65     --   --                                      89                                                                               58.1                                                                               2.01                                                                               2.03                                                                              3.83                                                                              36.3                                                                              40.43                                                                             100.71                                                                              44     2.0/1.99                                                                            P                                       90                                                                               58.9                                                                               2.26                                                                               2.28                                                                              36.6                                                                              1.4                                                                               38.1                                                                              99.33                                                                               18     2.0/1.82                                                                            P                                       91                                                                               59.0                                                                               2.93                                                                               2.95                                                                              36.3                                                                              1.0                                                                               37.4                                                                              99.40                                                                                9     2.0/1.87                                                                            P                                       92                                                                               59.4                                                                               0.38                                                                               2.69                                                                              34.9                                                                              2.1                                                                               37.1                                                                              99.24                                                                               25     2.0/2.06                                                                            P                                       93                                                                               59.8                                                                               2.54                                                                               2.56                                                                              27.4                                                                              10.0                                                                              37.5                                                                              99.91                                                                               11     --   --                                      94                                                                               60.1                                                                               1.68                                                                               1.70                                                                              28.0                                                                              9.9                                                                               38.0                                                                              99.85                                                                               29     2.0/1.98                                                                            P                                       95                                                                               60.2                                                                               2.21                                                                               2.23                                                                              32.7                                                                              4.9                                                                               37.7                                                                              100.18                                                                              50     2.0/2.04                                                                            P                                       96                                                                               61.4                                                                               2.17                                                                               2.19                                                                              26.2                                                                              10.1                                                                              36.4                                                                              100.04                                                                              18     2.0/1.87                                                                            P                                       97                                                                               61.4                                                                               1.66                                                                               1.68                                                                              29.9                                                                              6.9                                                                               36.9                                                                              100.03                                                                              61     2.0/1.91                                                                            P                                       98                                                                               61.8                                                                               2.84                                                                               2.86                                                                              34.0                                                                              0.2                                                                               34.3                                                                              99.01                                                                               51     2.0/1.93                                                                            P                                       99                                                                               62.0                                                                               2.81                                                                               2.83                                                                              34.1                                                                              0.2                                                                               34.4                                                                              99.28                                                                               55     2.0/1.90                                                                            P                                      100                                                                               62.1                                                                               2.75                                                                               2.77                                                                              33.8                                                                              0.2                                                                               34.1                                                                              99.02                                                                               13     2.0/1.91                                                                            P                                      101                                                                               62.7                                                                               1.79                                                                               1.81                                                                              25.6                                                                              9.4                                                                               35.1                                                                              99.66                                                                               18     2.0/1.96                                                                            P                                      102                                                                               63.0                                                                               2.54                                                                               2.56                                                                              33.1                                                                              0.2                                                                               33.4                                                                              99.05                                                                               37     2.0/1.87                                                                            P                                      103                                                                               63.9                                                                               1.84                                                                               1.86                                                                              30.7                                                                              2.5                                                                               33.3                                                                              99.11                                                                               38     2.0/1.94                                                                            P                                      104                                                                               64.1                                                                               1.83                                                                               1.85                                                                              17.7                                                                              16.3                                                                              34.3                                                                              100.4                                                                               12     2.0/1.95                                                                            P                                      105                                                                               65.1                                                                               2.15                                                                               2.17                                                                              9.74                                                                              23.1                                                                              33.15                                                                             100.57                                                                              17     --   P                                      106                                                                               65.6                                                                               1.56                                                                               1.58                                                                              2.7                                                                               29.7                                                                              32.5                                                                              99.73                                                                               33     2.0/1.91                                                                            P                                      107                                                                               66.7                                                                               1.80                                                                               1.82                                                                              30.7                                                                              0.1                                                                               30.9                                                                              99.47                                                                                2     2.0/1.90                                                                            P                                      3 to 4% Amphoteric Oxides                                                      108                                                                               49.8                                                                               3.5 3.52                                                                              4.98                                                                              40.9                                                                              46.18                                                                             99.65                                                                               33     --   --                                     109                                                                               50.3                                                                               3.58                                                                               3.60                                                                              45.0                                                                              0.64                                                                              45.74                                                                             99.69                                                                               19     2.0/1.96                                                                            F                                      110                                                                               55.1                                                                               3.77                                                                               3.79                                                                              7.89                                                                              33.7                                                                              41.89                                                                             100.93                                                                              33     2.0/2.06                                                                            P                                      111                                                                               55.6                                                                               6.24                                                                               3.66                                                                              37.1                                                                              4.65                                                                              41.85                                                                             101.16                                                                              --     2.0/2.12                                                                            F                                      112                                                                               56.5                                                                               0.35                                                                               3.65                                                                              36.51                                                                             4.17                                                                              40.78                                                                             100.98                                                                              --     2.0/1.99                                                                            F                                      113                                                                               56.7                                                                               3.52                                                                               3.54                                                                              23.5                                                                              16.2                                                                              39.8                                                                              100.09                                                                              19     2.0/1.89                                                                            F                                      114                                                                               56.7                                                                               3.06                                                                               3.08                                                                              23.4                                                                              16.6                                                                              40.28                                                                             100.11                                                                              40     2.0/4.02                                                                            F                                      115                                                                               56.88                                                                              0.32                                                                               3.64                                                                              36.45                                                                             4.00                                                                              40.45                                                                             101.02                                                                              51     --   --                                     115a                                                                              57.5                                                                               3.29                                                                               3.31                                                                              37.7                                                                              0.75                                                                              38.55                                                                             99.41                                                                               6      2.0/1.93                                                                            F                                      116                                                                               58.1                                                                               3.05                                                                               3.07                                                                              25.6                                                                              12.8                                                                              38.5                                                                              99.72                                                                               20     2.0/1.9                                                                             F                                      117                                                                               58.2                                                                               3.75                                                                               3.77                                                                              36.4                                                                              0.67                                                                              37.17                                                                             99.19                                                                               38     2.0/2.0                                                                             F                                      119                                                                               58.80                                                                              3.76                                                                               3.78                                                                              36.7                                                                              0.24                                                                              37.04                                                                             99.67                                                                               28     2.0/1.97                                                                            F                                      120                                                                               61.2                                                                               3.77                                                                               3.79                                                                              34.0                                                                              0.24                                                                              34.34                                                                             99.38                                                                               18     2.0/1.94                                                                            P                                      4 to 6% Amphoteric Oxides                                                      121                                                                               49.7                                                                               4.04                                                                               4.06                                                                              26.4                                                                              19.6                                                                              46.1                                                                              99.91                                                                               37     --   --                                     122                                                                               55.8                                                                               5.20                                                                               5.22                                                                              30.1                                                                              9.2                                                                               39.4                                                                              100.47                                                                               7     2.0/1.88                                                                            F                                      123                                                                               56.85                                                                              5.40                                                                               5.41                                                                              31.8                                                                              5.65                                                                              37.55                                                                             99.91                                                                                4     2.0/1.99                                                                            F                                      124                                                                               57.0                                                                               4.68                                                                               4.70                                                                              22.0                                                                              15.6                                                                              37.7                                                                              99.45                                                                               32     2.0/2.00                                                                            F                                      6 to 8% Amphoteric Oxides                                                      125                                                                               39.2                                                                               6.90                                                                               6.92                                                                              38.5                                                                              14.0                                                                              52.6                                                                              98.72                                                                               37     --   --                                     126                                                                               46.9                                                                               7.66                                                                               7.68                                                                              44.8                                                                              0.3                                                                               45.2                                                                              99.83                                                                                6     2.0/1.97                                                                            F                                      127                                                                               49.3                                                                               6.40                                                                               6.42                                                                              25.3                                                                              18.4                                                                              43.8                                                                              99.57                                                                               19     2.0/2.0                                                                             F                                      128                                                                               50.4                                                                               7.45                                                                               7.48                                                                              26.2                                                                              15.2                                                                              41.5                                                                              99.43                                                                               18     2.0/3.17                                                                            F                                      129                                                                               54.7                                                                               7.60                                                                               7.62                                                                              30.7                                                                              6.5                                                                               37.3                                                                              99.67                                                                                7     2.0/1.98                                                                            F                                      130                                                                               56.1                                                                               6.34                                                                               6.36                                                                              30.6                                                                              6.9                                                                               37.6                                                                              100.11                                                                               4     2.0/2.04                                                                            F                                      131                                                                               57.9                                                                               6.7 6.72                                                                              5.9                                                                               29.7                                                                              35.6                                                                              100.27                                                                               2     --   --                                     132                                                                               58.5                                                                               6.16                                                                               6.18                                                                              31.2                                                                              4.0                                                                               35.2                                                                              99.93                                                                                2     2.0/2.01                                                                            F                                      133                                                                               59.7                                                                               7.08                                                                               7.10                                                                              27.9                                                                              5.1                                                                               33.1                                                                              99.9  2     2.0/2.04                                                                            F                                      8 to 10% Amphoteric Oxides                                                     134                                                                               38.6                                                                               9.3 9.32                                                                              38.4                                                                              13.7                                                                              52.2                                                                              100.17                                                                              12     --   --                                     135                                                                               42.8                                                                               8.8 9.13                                                                              36.7                                                                              9.6                                                                               46.76                                                                             98.69                                                                               13     --   --                                     136                                                                               44.5                                                                               8.76                                                                               8.78                                                                              45.5                                                                              0.52                                                                              46.12                                                                             99.45                                                                                3     --   --                                     137                                                                               52.1                                                                               8.9 8.92                                                                              23.7                                                                              16.2                                                                              40.0                                                                              101.02                                                                                1.2  --   --                                     138                                                                               52.5                                                                               9.67                                                                               9.69                                                                              33.5                                                                              4.21                                                                              37.81                                                                             100.05                                                                                1.0  2.0/1.99                                                                            F                                      139                                                                               53.7                                                                               8.7 8.72                                                                              22.5                                                                              16.3                                                                              38.9                                                                              101.37                                                                                1.7  --   --                                     140                                                                               56.6                                                                               9.2 9.22                                                                              23.5                                                                              10.9                                                                              34.5                                                                              100.37                                                                                1.2  2.0/2.05                                                                            F                                      10 to 12% Amphoteric Oxides                                                    141                                                                               41.0                                                                               10.05                                                                              10.07                                                                             48.25                                                                             0.3                                                                               48.70                                                                             99.87                                                                                6     2.0/2.00                                                                            F                                      142                                                                               51.3                                                                               10.9                                                                               10.92                                                                             37.2                                                                              0.2                                                                               37.5                                                                              99.77                                                                                 0.8  2.0/2.04                                                                            F                                      143                                                                               52.4                                                                               10.7                                                                               10.72                                                                             23.1                                                                              16.1                                                                              39.3                                                                              102.42                                                                                0.7  2.0/2.00                                                                            F                                      144                                                                               52.7                                                                               10.2                                                                               10.22                                                                             22.1                                                                              16.0                                                                              38.2                                                                              101.12                                                                                0.5  --   --                                     12 to 20% Amphoteric Oxides                                                    145                                                                               41.5                                                                               13.0                                                                               13.02                                                                             44.2                                                                              0.5                                                                               44.8                                                                              99.37                                                                                 1.2  --   --                                     146                                                                               49.8                                                                               18.0                                                                               18.02                                                                             31.5                                                                              0.2                                                                               32.02                                                                             99.89                                                                                 0.5  --   --                                     147                                                                               55.6                                                                               12.9                                                                               12.92                                                                             13.2                                                                              18.4                                                                              31.7                                                                              100.27                                                                                1.8  2.0/2.54                                                                            F                                      20 to 30% Amphoteric Oxides                                                    148                                                                               36.5                                                                               28.4                                                                               28.42                                                                             34.4                                                                              0.3                                                                               34.8                                                                              99.77                                                                                 0.6  --   --                                     149                                                                               40.3                                                                               21.5                                                                               21.52                                                                             37.5                                                                              0.3                                                                               37.9                                                                              99.77                                                                                 0.8  --   --                                     150                                                                               42.6                                                                               25.7                                                                               25.72                                                                             31.2                                                                              0.3                                                                               31.6                                                                              99.97                                                                                 0.6  --   --                                     151                                                                               48.4                                                                               22.4                                                                               22.42                                                                             16.5                                                                              12.6                                                                              29.2                                                                              100.07                                                                                0.5  2.0/2.01                                                                            F                                      152                                                                               59.9                                                                               22.8                                                                               22.82                                                                             3.1                                                                               14.0                                                                              17.2                                                                              99.97                                                                                 0.7  2.0/2.01                                                                            F                                      30 to 40% Amphoteric Oxides                                                    153                                                                               45.9                                                                               31.3                                                                               31.32                                                                             5.9                                                                               16.7                                                                              22.7                                                                              99.97                                                                                 2.3  --   --                                     __________________________________________________________________________      * = Not Fiberizable                                                            ** P = Pass, F = Failed                                                  

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     FIBERS MADE WITH VARIOUS ADDITIVE CONSTITUENTS                                                                        5 Hour                                         ANALYSES                        Saline                                                                              E-119 Fire Test                           Acidic                                                                             Amphoteric                                                                           Basic      % Additive Extraction                                                                          Thickness                                                                           2 hour                        Test No.                                                                              Oxides                                                                             Oxides                                                                               Oxides                                                                             Misc.                                                                             Total                                                                              (Incl. in Total)                                                                          ppm. Si                                                                             Density                                                                             Test                          __________________________________________________________________________     Fibers with                                                                    B.sub.2 O.sub.3 Additions                                                      164    65.12                                                                              0.06  35.3                                                                               -- 100.48                                                                             0.32%                                                                              B.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                       53   2.0/1.94                                                                            P                             165    64.42                                                                              1.20  34.8                                                                               -- 100.42                                                                             0.52%                                                                              "      20   2.0/1.88                                                                            p                             166    65.24                                                                              0.06  35.2                                                                               -- 100.5                                                                              0.64%                                                                              "      43   2.0/1.89                                                                            p                             167    65.32                                                                              0.06  35.2                                                                               -- 100.58                                                                             0.82%                                                                              "      45   2.0/2.00                                                                            P                             168    65.43                                                                              0.06  34.9                                                                               -- 100.39                                                                             1.33%                                                                              "      47   2.0/1.95                                                                            P                             169    65.47                                                                              0.06  34.9                                                                               -- 100.43                                                                             1.37%                                                                              "      45   2.0/--                                                                              P                             170    65.82                                                                              0.06  34.6                                                                               -- 100.48                                                                             2.22%                                                                              "      46   2.0/2.02                                                                            P                             171    68.01                                                                              0.06  32.0                                                                               -- 100.07                                                                             8.41%                                                                              "      52   2.0/6.45                                                                            P                             Fibers with                                                                    P.sub.2 O.sub.5 addition                                                       172    55.65                                                                              0.48  43.58                                                                              0.02                                                                              99.7                                                                               6.06%                                                                              P.sub.2 O.sub.5                                                                       71   2.0/1.94                                                                            F                             Fibers with                                                                    TiO.sub.2 addition                                                             173    48.6                                                                               51.4  --  -- 100.                                                                               10% TiO.sub.2                                                                             0.4  2.01/1.94                                                                           P                             Fibers with                                                                    ZrO.sub.2 additions                                                            174    63.5                                                                               1.10  35.92                                                                              -- 100.52                                                                             0.21%                                                                              ZrO.sub.2                                                                             25   2.0/2.01                                                                            P                             175    59.2                                                                               0.73  39.51                                                                              -- 99.44                                                                              0.40%                                                                              "      48   2.0/2.00                                                                            P                             176    59.5                                                                               0.73  39.52                                                                              -- 99.75                                                                              0.42%                                                                              "      55   --   --                            177    59.7                                                                               0.84  39.16                                                                              -- 99.70                                                                              0.50%                                                                              "      32   --   --                            178    60.0                                                                               0.90  38.78                                                                              -- 99.68                                                                              0.54%                                                                              "      40   --   --                            179    59.2                                                                               0.93  37.98                                                                              -- 98.11                                                                              0.58%                                                                              "      46   2.0/2.02                                                                            P                             180    54.3                                                                               1.88  43.12                                                                               .01                                                                              99.31                                                                              0.58%                                                                              "      67   2.0/2.00                                                                            F                             181    59.2                                                                               1.15  37.73                                                                              -- 98.08                                                                              0.83%                                                                              "      57   2.0/2.03                                                                            P                             182    46.85                                                                              2.89  49.98                                                                               .02                                                                              99.74                                                                              0.84%                                                                              "      44   2.0/2.17                                                                            F                             182a   59.4                                                                               2.69  36.96                                                                               .02                                                                              99.05                                                                              2.31%                                                                              "      25   2.0/2.00                                                                            P                             183    59.05                                                                              2.95  38.07                                                                              -- 100.09                                                                             2.65%                                                                              "      38   2.0/2.20                                                                            P                             184    57.96                                                                              3.53  38.72                                                                              -- 100.21                                                                             3.11%                                                                              "      25   2.0/2.37                                                                            F                             185    57.80                                                                              3.68  38.14                                                                              -- 99.62                                                                              3.12%                                                                              "      10   2.0/2.03                                                                            F                             186    59.05                                                                              3.65  39.51                                                                              -- 102.21                                                                             3.27%                                                                              "      15   2.1/2.11                                                                            P                             187    56.88                                                                              3.62  40.45                                                                              -- 100.95                                                                             3.30%                                                                              "      51   --   --                            188    57.7                                                                               3.50  39.0                                                                               -- 100.20                                                                             3.30%                                                                              "      13   2.0/2.06                                                                            P                             189    58.19                                                                              3.75  38.65                                                                              -- 100.59                                                                             3.36%                                                                              "      12   --   --                            190    57.86                                                                              3.73  38.88                                                                              -- 100.47                                                                             3.37%                                                                              "      --   2.0/2.00                                                                            F                             191    58.6                                                                               4.25  36.22                                                                              -- 99.07                                                                              3.67%                                                                              "      7    2.0/2.00                                                                            P                             192    58.4                                                                               4.34  35.79                                                                              -- 98.53                                                                              3.69%                                                                              "      3    2.0/2.00                                                                            P                             193    58.65                                                                              7.87  35.36                                                                               .01                                                                              99.89                                                                              4.50%                                                                              "      1.3  2.0/2.07                                                                            F                             Fibers with                                                                    FeO.sub.3 additions                                                            194    64.9                                                                               0.06  35.38                                                                              -- 100.34                                                                             0.06%                                                                              FeO.sub.3 & MnO                                                                       56   2.0/1.88                                                                            P                             195    49.8                                                                               18.02 31.92                                                                              0.07                                                                              99.81                                                                              0.22%                                                                              "   "  0.5  --   --                            196    50.4                                                                               7.49  42.04                                                                              0.07                                                                              100.00                                                                             0.52%                                                                              "   "  18   --   --                            197    64.34                                                                              0.06  34.7                                                                               -- 99.1                                                                               0.50%                                                                              "   "  51   2.0/1.91                                                                            P                             198    63.70                                                                              1.20  33.02                                                                              -- 98.62                                                                              0.69%                                                                              "   "  24   2.0/1.88                                                                            F                             199    63.54                                                                              1.20  33.46                                                                              -- 98.20                                                                              0.72%                                                                              "   "  35   2.0/2.00                                                                            P                             200    38.9                                                                               6.72  54.40                                                                              0.07                                                                              100.09                                                                             0.80%                                                                              "   "  17   --   --                            201    64.3                                                                               0.06  35.96                                                                              -- 100.32                                                                             0.96%                                                                              "   "  45   2.0/1.88                                                                            P                             202    44.6                                                                               0.94  51.92                                                                              -- 97.46                                                                              1.02%                                                                              "   "  49   --   --                            203    63.3                                                                               1.15  34.99                                                                              -- 99.44                                                                              1.61%                                                                              "   "  12   2.0/1.95                                                                            F                             204    63.6                                                                               0.06  36.62                                                                              -- 100.15                                                                             1.92%                                                                              "   "  31   2.0/1.91                                                                            P                             205    43.8                                                                               15.28 40.94                                                                              0.13                                                                              100.02                                                                             2.94%                                                                              "   "  1.3  --   --                            206    62.3                                                                               1.20  36.05                                                                              -- 99.55                                                                              3.05%                                                                              "   "  7    2.0/1.98                                                                            F                             207    63.3                                                                               0.06  36.95                                                                              -- 100.31                                                                             3.45%                                                                              "   "  18   2.0/1.88                                                                            F                             208    43.9                                                                               14.32 41.6                                                                               -- 99.82                                                                              3.56%                                                                              "   "  2    --   --                            209    62.0                                                                               0.06  38.31                                                                              -- 100.37                                                                             4.81%                                                                              "   "  13   2.0/1.98                                                                            F                             210    60.0                                                                               2.0   38.0                                                                               -- 100.0                                                                              8.0%                                                                               "   "  0.9  2.0/2.00                                                                            F                             211    60.0                                                                               --    40.0                                                                               -- 100.0                                                                              20.0%                                                                              "   "  0.7  2.0/2.00                                                                            F                             Fibers with                                                                    La.sub.2 O.sub.3 additions                                                     212    58.1                                                                               0.06  41.47                                                                              -- 99.63                                                                              0.00%                                                                              La.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                      76   2.0/1.97                                                                            F                             213    57.8                                                                               0.06  41.82                                                                              -- 99.68                                                                              0.56%                                                                              "      69   2.0/1.97                                                                            F                             214    57.5                                                                               0.06  41.72                                                                              -- 99.28                                                                              0.72%                                                                              "      78   2.0/1.98                                                                            F                             215    56.9                                                                               0.06  41.58                                                                              -- 99.54                                                                              0.92%                                                                              "      70   2.0/1.98                                                                            F                             Fibers with                                                                    Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 additions                                                     216    62.6                                                                               0.51  36.61                                                                              -- 99.72                                                                              0.09%                                                                              Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                      28   2.0/2.16                                                                            P                             Fibers with                                                                    Na.sub.2 O additions                                                           217    64.7                                                                               0.06  35.58                                                                              -- 100.34                                                                             0.28%                                                                              Na.sub.2 O                                                                            45   2.0/1.91                                                                            P                             218    64.5                                                                               0.06  35.68                                                                              -- 100.21                                                                             0.45%                                                                              "      57   2.0/1.97                                                                            P                             219    64.4                                                                               0.06  35.80                                                                              -- 100.26                                                                             0.71%                                                                              "      54   2.0/1.97                                                                            P                             220    63.5                                                                               1.20  35.70                                                                              -- 100.40                                                                             0.87%                                                                              "      30   2.0/1.90                                                                            P                             221    64.3                                                                               0.06  35.63                                                                              -- 99.99                                                                              0.93%                                                                              "      51   2.0/1.90                                                                            P                             222    64.2                                                                               0.06  36.11                                                                              -- 100.37                                                                             1.11%                                                                              "      57   2.0/1.99                                                                            P                             223    64.0                                                                               0.06  36.3                                                                               -- 100.36                                                                             1.40%                                                                              "      43   2.0/1.99                                                                            P                             224    63.0                                                                               0.06  37.0                                                                               -- 100.06                                                                             2.60%                                                                              "      50   2.0/2.16                                                                            F                             225    60.3                                                                               0.06  39.74                                                                              -- 100.1                                                                              6.84%                                                                              "      70   2.0/1.87                                                                            F                             Conventional Mineral Wool Fibers                                               226    40.0                                                                               9.50  49.97                                                                              0.69                                                                              100.16                                                                             --         7    2.0/3.50                                                                            F                             227    39.92                                                                              13.99 45.82                                                                              0.74                                                                              100.47                                                                             --         1.2  2.0/5.23                                                                            F                             228    38.49                                                                              12.24 49.35                                                                              0.61                                                                              100.69                                                                             --         0.6  2.0/3.42                                                                            F                             229    41.87                                                                              17.10 41.53                                                                              0.64                                                                              101.14                                                                             --         1.0  2.0/3.86                                                                            F                             Refractory Fibers (Fibers with less than 25% Basic Oxides)                     231    31.0                                                                               47.52 21.4                                                                               -- 99.92                                                                              --         2    2.0/2.10                                                                            F                             232    37.1                                                                               59.2  3.3 -- 99.6                                                                               --         0.6  2.0/5.38                                                                            F                             233    50.0                                                                               40.0  10.0                                                                               -- 100 --         0.8  2.0/2.00                                                                            P                             234    54.0                                                                               46.0  --  -- 100 --         0.3  2.0/2.00                                                                            P                             235    59.62                                                                              25.55 14.23                                                                              0.7                                                                               100.11                                                                             --         0.3  2.0/2.00                                                                            P                             236    52.1                                                                               46.39 1.13                                                                               -- 99.62                                                                              --         1.0  --   --                            237    52.0                                                                               46.84 1.07                                                                               -- 99.91                                                                              --         0.4  --   --                            238    49.8                                                                               49.22 1.02                                                                               -- 100.04                                                                             --         0.3  --   --                            239    48.6                                                                               50.05 1.00                                                                               -- 99.65                                                                              --         0.4  --   --                            240    47.8                                                                               51.00 0.98                                                                               -- 99.78                                                                              --         0.3  --   --                            241    46.2                                                                               53.10 0.93                                                                               -- 100.23                                                                             --         0.4  --   --                            242    28  72    --  -- 100 --         0.5  --   --                            243    64.5                                                                               27.4  8.4 -- 100.3                                                                              --         0.8  2.0/1.85                                                                            F                             __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         CONTINUOUS SERVICE TEMPERATURE                                                 FOR CONSTANT SiO.sub.2 /CaO/MgO RATIOS                                         SiO.sub.2 /CaO/                                                                         0        5        10    20     30                                     MgO Ratio                                                                               Continuous Service Temperature for max 5% shrinkage                            °F.                                                            ______________________________________                                         50/50/0  1480     1480     1470  1420   1550                                   50/40/10 1440     1430     1420  1400   1520                                   50/30/10 1400     1380     1370  1350   1480                                   60/40/0  1500     1460     1460  1460   1600                                   60/30/10 1430     1420     1400  1410   1520                                   60/20/20 1380     1370     1360  1350   1500                                   ______________________________________                                    

Reasonable modifications and variations are possible from the foregoing disclosure without departing from either the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 

We claim:
 1. A refractory inorganic fiber composition consisting essentially of, based upon the total fiber composition:(a) 58.5-approximately 68.9 wt % SiO₂ ; (b) approximately 18.1-approximately 40.5 wt % CaO; (c) approximately 0.11-approximately 16.4 wt % MgO; (d) 0-approximately 1.5 wt % Al₂ O₃ ; (e) 0-approximately 4.5 wt % ZrO₂ ; (f) 0-approximately 8.41 wt % B₂ O₃ ; (g) 0-approximately 2.9 wt % Fe₂ O₃ ; (h) 0-approximately 2.6 wt % Na₂ O; and (i) 0-approximately 10 wt % TiO₂ ; wherein the total quantity of Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, and iron oxides does not exceed 10 wt % based upon the total fiber composition; and wherein the inorganic fiber composition withstands the rising temperatures of a simulated fire reaching 1,010° C. in two hours and is soluble in physiological saline solution.
 2. A refractory inorganic fiber composition according to claim 1, wherein components (a) through (c) are present in the amounts of:(a) about 64.1 wt % SiO₂ ; (b) about 30.97 wt % CaO; and (c) about 2.6 wt % MgO.
 3. A refractory inorganic fiber composition consisting essentially of, based on the total fiber composition, approximately:(a) 58.1-66.7 wt % SiO₂ ; (b) 2.7-36.6 wt % CaO; (c) 0.1-36.3 wt % MgO (d) 1.5-3 wt % Al₂ O₃ ; (e) 0-4.5 wt % ZrO₂ ; (f) 0-8.41 wt % B₂ O₃ ; (g) 0-2.9 wt % Fe₂ O₃ ; (h) 0-2.6 wt % Na₂ O; and (i) 0-10 wt % TiO₂ ; wherein the total quantity of Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, and iron oxides does not exceed 10 wt % based on the total fiber composition; and wherein the inorganic fiber composition withstands the rising temperatures of a simulated fire reaching 1,010° C. in two hours and is soluble in physiological saline solution.
 4. A refractory inorganic fiber composition consisting essentially of, based on the total fiber composition, approximately:(a) 55.1-61.2 wt % SiO₂ ; (b) 7.89-34.0 wt % CaO; (c) 0.24-33.7 wt % MgO; (d) 3-4 wt % Al₂ O₃ ; (e) 0-4.5 wt % ZrO₂ ; (f) 0-8.41 wt % B₂ O₃ ; (g) 0-2.9 wt % Fe₂ O₃ ; (h) 0-2.6 wt % Na₂ O; and (i) 0-10 wt % TiO₂ ; wherein the total quantity of Al₂ O₃, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂ O₃, and iron oxides does not exceed 10 wt % based on the total fiber composition; and wherein the inorganic fiber composition withstands the rising temperatures of a simulated fire reaching 1,010° C. in two hours and is soluble in physiological saline solution.
 5. A refractory inorganic fiber composition according to claim 1, wherein the quantity of B₂ O₃ is between 0.32 wt % and 8.41 wt %.
 6. A refractory inorganic fiber composition according to claim 5, wherein the amount of SiO₂, CaO, and MgO is about 64.1 wt %, 30.97 wt %, and 2.6 wt %, respectively.
 7. A refractory inorganic fiber composition according to claim 3, wherein the quantity of B₂ O₃ is between 0.32 wt % and 8.41wt %.
 8. A refractory inorganic fiber composition according to claim 4, wherein the quantity of B₂ O₃ is between 0.32 wt % and 8.41 wt %.
 9. A refractory inorganic fiber composition according to claim 1, wherein the quantity of ZrO₂ is between 0.21 wt % and 4.5 wt %.
 10. A refractory inorganic fiber composition according to claim 9, wherein the amount of SiO₂, CaO, and MgO is about 64.1 wt %, 30.97 wt %, and 2.6 wt %, respectively.
 11. A refractory inorganic composition according to claim 3, wherein the quantity of ZrO₂ is between 0.21 wt % and 4.5 wt %.
 12. A refractory inorganic composition according to claim 4, wherein the quantity of ZrO₂ is between 0.21 wt % and 4.5 wt %. 